Arcane Renaissance: Terra Rynn

Session 39

We once again return to the party – this time journeying away from The Mountain – in need of rest, relaxation – and on Sorin’s part recreation.

Along the route back to town, however – a clearly distressed body was found lying in a field within the forest. Mithrellis went to investigate and offer medical aid – in spite of the party’s better judgement. As such, Riordan climbed a tree at the edge of the clearing to keep watch. Jace and Sorin, rolling their eyes – quietly waited to see the outcome of this foolhardy venture. Mithrellis investigated the body – finding a clean wound through the torso – cleanly and quickly having killed the dwarf they had attempted to free whilst under The Mountain. Riordan – failing in his vigil, witnessed blades come screaming out and directly into Mithrellis before either could react.

Mithrellis stood – hurt, but unbowed, turned to face his foe and found himself with two enemies advancing upon him, slashing whilst Riordan leapt from his treetop perch to enter the combat. Jace and Sorin made ready to make use of their remarkable talents, finding that the enemy had already slinked away into the darkness. This fight would be one of skill, silence and death. Riordan found himself to be the first downed, left unconscious and dying, the party found themselves besieged as a flurry of blades found weak spots in Jace’s light armor and knocked Sorin silly(a relative term – if ever there was one).

Alone, hurt but with peerless skill with his long sword and a faith in his magical talents and the will of Mishra, Mithrellis faced down this threat. Sorin, regaining himself cast a wall of fire, in order to protect himself and the fallen form of Jace. He poured a healing potion into her mouth, reviving her to ready for further battle. Mithrellis found the enemy had once again hidden themselves – casting a sphere of darkness near the area of the fallen Riordan. Before he could find this foe – let alone to come to grips with them, they were gone – as was his erstwhile ally Riordan.

Uncertain where they could have taken him, but knowing this style of fighting from previous encounters with Feng – the party now hunts for Shendao and hopes to recover RIordan – if only to save him from whatever grisly fate awaits him at the hands of this silent and deadly foe.

Session 39

We once again rejoin our party beneath the mountain – having just discovered a young half-Eladrin prisoner of the Efreeti.

Upon discovery of the lass – the party attempted contact. She was chained, and of no threat – though she only spoke a language no-one in the party knew. Riordan, in spite of Mithrellis’ distaste, yet again showcased his… unsettling capability to speak with any creature – mind to mind. He translated to and for her, so as to aid the party in obtaining information. The young woman identified herself as being “Signe” and was elated(and terrified) to hear her masters had been slain. It had been revealed that The Mountain fastness had what amounted to a dead man’s trigger – which would surely kill them all. In a panic, Young Signe fled, unable and unwilling to help the party in their quest. The party followed, trying to help the lass, but she would have none of it.

She found an exit – perfect for Efreeti, whose incorporeality allowed escape through small gaps. It was not so useful for the party, however. As such, realizing that the temperature was rising at an alarming rate, the party led Signe to the exit of which they knew and were finally free of The Mountain. While within its shadow – they looked back, finding white steam billowing from the top of the mountain. The party also found a campsite within the Shadow of the mountain – and as such Mithrellis moved forward to check upon their welfare, clearly concerned the young knight had stayed at the foot of the mountain. Upon finding that it in fact belonged to the Tiefling guides, Mithrellis returned to the party – and the quest continued, heading back to the town for some much needed R&R.

Session 38

As we return – we find the adventurers within the palace of the recently defeated Efreeti After some time spent in the lavish top room of the building – resting, recovering(and for Sorin – time spent in discussion with the ancient, sentient and powerful trident, called Wave) the party proceeded back upon mission in an attempt to find e damaged leyline.

The party explores the portions of the palace into which they can enter. Coming upon an obviously important(and locked) door – the party decided to Dimension Door in. Upon entry, they found themselves immediately in combat with yet another Efreet – accompanied by a party of body-guards. Many bugbears and ogres would be slain this day – as this room contained a portal. The party fought with grit and determination, and in spite of setbacks were able to carry the day. Highlights of the battle included Jace falling in combat, and Sorin managing to heal her.

Testing the portal, Mithrellis’ familiar Terri was incinerated in mere seconds, leading Mithrellis to rage and grief while Jace – the ever-consoling and ruthlessly polite human she was – made light of the situation. Mithrellis summoned an elemental of fire – and discovered that this portal led to the Elemental Plane of Fire. It was decided that this portal must be destroyed – and as such the party must retreat – using the fire elemental for this job. Should it be destroyed near them – it was known that the explosion would likely be one of extreme force.

As such, they searched further in the palace, finding a treasure room – and what was clearly a humanoid blue captive.

Session 37

We once again rejoin the party, escorting the Knight of an eon past to the entrance of the Mountain. A map was provided to him, as was a bag of silver.

When the party reached the forked entrance – a pair of Efreeti were found and discussion commenced. It was revealed that these beings were the Jailors for this mountain, responsible to ensure that it is consistently staffed with the strongest that can be found. In completing two legs of The Mountain already, we had proven ourselves to be just that. As such, these Efreeti were determined that we would be their attack dogs – whether we came to that position quietly – or with plenty of howling.

Riardon growled, Mithrellis readied his blade – HE would not be used by these demonic jailors! Sorin chuckled lightly, while Jace just sighed readying to heal those foolhardy enough to rush these two. Thus the battle began.

Riordan leapt in blitzing past the one to be engaged by Mithrellis and began slashing, using every ounce of his own ferocity to cut down this foul creature – and leaping off as quickly. Mithrellis, stoically wading into the battle – a rock and foundation around which mobile tactics could be used. Sorin, learned very quickly that his fire magics were of no use. Meanwhile Jace sought to protect poor Mithrellis from the blows of these creatures, using her magics to bolster his already formidable defenses.

These jailors – proving to be clever, if mortal – used flaming aura’s to penetrate these defenses. One cast invisibility upon himself and ran, the hammer and anvil tactics wearing through his resolve. Jace, ever with an answer cast Faerie Fire causing him to sparkle with a purple glittering. Riardon intercepted this creature – sending him to his doom. Mithrellis continued to battle the remaining jailor – who casted gaseous form and ran off to his stronghold.

Thus the first battle with these creatures ended – the party, witnessing where he had run off to gave chase. Mithrellis being an implacable foe at the best of times – was utterly merciless towards demons. Upon finding a path – at the bottom of a water hole, the party proceeded forward. They came upon a spire – fashioned out of a mighty stalagmite. After some discussion and scouting the party opted to Dimension Door onto the balcony at the very top. Likely they were to find some evil – and hopeful of finishing off this demon, three of the party sneaked into the room. They found inside this Efreeti Jailor Demon, with a fire elemental appearing to give the creature a massage whilst he smoked from a hookah.

Riardon – ever rash, and fast as hell on his feet charged forward with a battlecry taking attention from the rest of the party. The fire elemental attempted to intercede, but Riordan saw red and leapt over the creature laying into his pack leader with ferocity hard-taught by years in the wilds of the Fey realm. Thus the party unleashed hell in the room, covering Riardon’s ever aggressive(and foolish) actions with the might and wit available to them. At the last, the demon flew to the ceiling to escape the onslaught – Riardon climbing the walls after him, leaping upon him and dispatching this Jailor. Riordan falling over fifty feet simply watched as Mithrellis, thinking quickly, was able to cast feather fall – likely saving Riordan’s life from his own recklessness.

Thus we leave the party – bloodied but victorious. Having destroyed a pair of demonic jailors. Onward they push, to find the damaged ley-line which Eshrim has tasked them to repair.

Session 37

We rejoin the party enjoying repast and rest within a (relatively) secure spot within the unhallowed walls. This time it was Sorin’s turn to ask a few question’s of Riardon – discretely and in private.

“Riardon, how did you cast Cone of Cold back there. It is very potent magic – I did not believe you were capable of this.” Sorin stated.

Riardon’s befuddled response “What do you mean? You were the one to do so – I was unconscious.”

Sorin with great sadness responded “No, I did not. I do not dabble in cold magicks. It was you – beyond this, you attempted to attack me.”

Riardon’s response “The last I recall was men, greatsword in hand looking to end me- you standing over me and fighting them back. When I came to, there was but one left – and that Bleto. Jace finished him, though I took his head.”

Sorin, now weary stated “’Tis true, I saw it with my own eyes. You casted a Cone of Cold – very powerful and without concern for any of us. You then, while still wrapped in the net attacked me. Intentionally too, it was in your eyes, Riardon. Are you OK? Are you in control?”

Staring off into the distance, Riordan hesitated. This information ran very much counter to his recollection – could this all be some sick trick on the Tiefling’s part? After all, he was not above lying to get his way when it suited him. This lie, however just did not square with the Sorin he knew, and there was a sad honesty in his eyes, his body language and his voice. Could Riordan have lost control of himself? If so, could it have been Urious who used him to harm his allies? “No, Sorin. I am fine – I am in control, and I have the strength necessary to be the author of my own actions. This will not happen again, I can not allow it to.”

Thus the party began the day, Sorin becoming weary of Riardon in a manner he had not been, even at his mysterious appearance.

Session 36

We once again meet our party – traveling down the floating river, using the kayaks to travel the distance. Yet, this was to be no peaceful travel down a river – and the party was ambushed by a well armed and properly prepared force. Bearing heavy armor, greatswords and nets – they looked to eliminate anyone traveling the rapids.

Mithrellis, Riordan, Sorin and Jace were trapped in nets – like common fish. The enemy slashed with greatswords at their helpless forms – death was on the horizon, and only Sorin and Mithrellis had cut themselves out of their bindings. Riordan lost control entirely – Urious cast a cone of cold – freezing a portion of the floating river, and damaging tremendously the ambushing force. Riordan passed out, and Urious took control – enemies all around, I must defend this form now that I have control!

Jace, freeing herself cast fear on several of the enemy – slowing the barragce of greatswords in it’s tracks! The enemy ran, but Mithrellis held strong. He began attacking, taking each down with ease – especially, considering they were weakened by Urious. Sorin, attacking yet more enemies on his side of the river found himself the target of attack by a bewildered Urious, angry and unwilling to accept any as an ally – after all in the Feywild, he reigned over his watery domain with an iron fist. The slices missed Sorin by a country mile – Urious still being trapped in this confounding coil.

Mithrellis, Jace and Sorin continued with the fight – forcing the ambushers back – with plenty of tenacity and no minimum of healing on the part of Jace. Urious, angry and confused by this confounding coil, struggled uselessly against the rope. Clearly, this form was not as strong as it had promised to be.

The group, continued to down opponent after opponent, until only one was left. Riardon, taking back control from Urious slowly re-entered the fight exhausted and seeing two of everything. He attacked, missing horribly. Realizing whom he was facing – one Bleto from nearly Riardon’s own age – a man who had tried to overthrow the Svanese royalty – he informed the rest of the group.

Bleto ran like hell – recognizing the better part of valor to be retreat. Yet Jace – digging deep(and into her spell storing ring) killed him upon his flight. Thank the Gods for that woman!

Riordan nonetheless chased him down – and removed the head from the corpe of this bogeyman – bringing it back to the group.

One single survivor of the battle was left. Tied up, surrounded – he was befuddled. Unable to identify the year in which he thought we were, or even the reason they had attacked us. Riordan stepped in, reminding the man of Svain, the rolling hills, the calm seas – the life which both of them had experienced. The man started to calm down – he came back to himself, somewhat. He had been controlled by some outside force, but he had no idea of how he had come into this world. The prisoner had been after Bleto, it was true. He did not, however have any light to shed on how he had lived so long. Nor what he had been doing in the time he was here.

Thus the party escorted him back to the Sphinx, that he may attempt to restart his own life – new in this modern day.

Session 35

We return upon the journey of the party – this time with discord having been sowed amongst them.

Riordan could wait no longer, his gaze constantly drawn to this sentient sword of power. SO evil that upon kill, it drained the soul of the felled. Urious pushed constantly to take possession of the sword, and Riordan – stalwart as he was – was in agreement. As such – he confronted Mithrellis, the moral demon hunter, to obtain the sword.

Mithrellis argued vehemently that the sword itself was evil, and the powers themselves were those of the Vil’Nach. The means do not justify the ends – and we could not debase ourselves to the level of the enemy. This sword must not see use – by us or anyone. As such it must stay out of the hands of any who would use it – and that it could not taste the blood of any enemy.

Riordan countered – power and violence being the only power capable of protecting the innocent. Further, how fitting would it be to use the power of the enemy to not just destroy the physical aspect of the Vil’Nach, but to destroy the spirit as well. The enemy is evil, innumerable and without discernment, the best way to weed their number would be to destroy the spiritual flesh – preventing reincarnation into a new form! How could Mithrellis argue to assuage his morality – when innocents are on the line!!

Mithrellis responded that he could not accept its use, but that he might consider the allowance against the Vil’nach, themselves. He offered a compromise – would Riordan promise to only use it against the Vil’nach? Otherwise, if you lift this sword against any lesser evil – I would have to kill you myself!

Riordan responded that he could not make this promise – he would not be caught too weak to protect the innocent – as he had as a child. Further, the weapon needs to be kept in the hand of a man of discernment, Evil MUST be dealt with using every means available. After all, we couldn’t give this weapon to any, who lacked this discernment, as it was the only thing separating the good from the evil.

Mithrellis, sensing the hand of the Pale Tree and Urious in his words – asked, and what of your patrons? What is their desire?

Riordan, quietly and simply stated that any patron wishes their Warlock to gain strength and power. Mithrellis, unsatisfied with this – tried to level with Riordan, stating You have clearly been effected by them – are you alright? Is something wrong? Do you need our aid?

Riordan responded that he was in control of himself and his actions – do not question my intentions! I gain power from them – but I have the strength to do as I will – they do not control me, and my desire is to protect those who may not protect themselves. Further, Riordan stated “I was too weak to protect my mother and family from my father’s enemies, I was too weak to protect myself in the Feywild – and I was not yet strong enough to protect other innocents from these fiends. With the sword – I may be able to best the Vil’Nach and weaken their cause permanently!”

Mithrellis, sensing Urious in Riordan’s manner, stated – I could trust you with this sword, but I do not trust the being’s behind you. Jace – chiming in at this point, also refused to hand the blade over, as she held the weapon in her pack.

At this point – the debate was over – Riordan had lost, but he stated “This is not over, I need that sword to protect this realm – and we will discuss this further once we are through this peril.”

Sessions 33, 34 & 35

As we rejoin the party, rest has been procured at the foot of the sphinx, and they are once again ready to journey through The Mountain. The party headed to recover the Greatsword of renown hidden under The Mountain.

Shortly down this hallway, the party found it was covered in copper plates. After some investigation, Riardon ran down the hall with the impulsiveness and athleticism for which he had become justly known. His armor and armament became hot enough to burn a Turathi, and he was in no shape for the ambush awaiting him. He fell quickly, though the rest of the party made it to his side and Jace – caustic as ever – helped his recovery and allowed him to participate in the battle. With their usual skill and power Mithrellis and Sorin dispatched these undead ambushers, with yet further aid from Jace. Due to Riardon’s extreme wounds, he was polymorphed into a dire bear – leading down the path. Riardon, not familiar with his new form, fell down a pit of poisoned razors – ironically creating a walkway for the rest of the party. Before long, Riardon was back in his normal Half-Elven/Half-Eladrin form and the party was yet again ambushed by undead. The party was forced to rest and recover at this point – and thankfully the sweet melodies of Jace’s music sailed through the air, aiding in their recovery from fatigue. The party proceeded onward, finding quite the challenge in front of them – a coliseum of stepped aquarium’s filled with naught but the nastiest creatures, meant to challenge even the hardiest and most stalwart. Rather than tackle this so quickly after their last battle, the party found a place to camp, and recover fully – in it they found a floating river and several kayaks. After scouting to ensure the security of the area, Jace – ever the useful sort – cast Leomund’s tiny hut ensuring a secure rest period.

Upon awakening – the party moved back to the coliseum and found that the beasts were naught but corpses. Riardon leapt down to investigate further, upon which the party were ambushed by Dwarven assassins using clever hit and run tactics to deal tremendous damage. Sorin was nearly killed – but the rest of the party dispatched the group – eliminating all but one. Sorin charmed this one, and it was found that these clever dwarves had booby-trapped the way out. He used his influence over her in order to have the traps removed, and sent her on her way.

At the bottom of this coliseum, a door, with a field in front of it was found. Mithrellis dispelled this field, while Jace accessed a safe, with more than a little persistence. Upon doing so, the glass walls collapsed – pouring water down on the party. Riardon, losing control threw his hands up, forcing the water back, allowing the party to escape. Once the party was safe, he directed the water into a sluice – in order to secure their escape route.

The party then entered a room, with a particularly belligerent Xian’lan – after a moment of conversation, battle ensued. It turned out, that it was a monster, driven mad by its time trapped in The Mountain. After an extended exchange – the beast was felled, and Riordan claimed the kill, smearing the blood beneath his eyes.

Search was made of the room, and several magical items, including a powerful magic sword was found. This sword was truly a fright – intelligent in its own right, it reached out to Riordan and Urious for their caretakership. It had a hunger for blood, and the opportunity to feast upon the souls of the felled. Riordan clearly had designs upon the sword – but Mithrellis was reluctant to offer it to him. Jace cooled the brewing argument reminding them both that this was dangerous territory. The party left the room, and the party was met by ogres. They were dispatched quickly and with a minimum of pain – and the party proceeded back to the room with the floating river and the kayaks.

Session 32

We find ourselves once again finding the group on the path to their goal – entering The Mountain. Once entrance had been gained – a Sphinx by the name of Simalthaltra was found, offering a riddle – and an ultimatum. Solve it, or entrance would not be permitted. This, was very much in Mithrellis’ wheelhouse, and entrance was given to the group – with further information offered. There are three great Relic’s within the vast fastness – and the Sphinx’s riddle gave information as to all three.

As to this, the party was off – and a new challenge was found. A small pool was found on the path chosen by the party, as they slogged through ankle deep water. Upon investigation, Riordan found a wheel at the bottom – attempting to open it up. While these efforts were being made bugbears attacked those in the halway – and were quickly dispatched by the skill of Mithrellis, the grace of Sorin and the acid-tongue of Jace.

Lacking success – Riordan cast water breathing on Sorin and the two of them were able to open it slightly. This reduced the level of the water in the corridor- though it did not offer them a path, beside the doorway they had already found. They proceeded forward to this door, finding aquatic creatures. In spite of Riordan’s efforts at pacification, combat was joined.and with some effort these aquatic crones were bested. While items of great value were found(specifically some chain mail bearing the crest of an elite Turathi soldier) much of it was left as it was of no use to the party.

Proceeding forward through The Mountain – a rotating hallway was found – with a doorway at its end. The party proceeded through, coming under attack. The attackers were quickly dispatched, with Mithrellis striking the killing blow. This was his first time killing what he considered to be a sentient creature, and Mithrellis had a minor breakdown(possibly not made easier when Riordan treated him as though he had only now attained his manhood, even smearing the blood on his cheeks below his eyes).

Moving onward once Mithrellis had recovered from the shock, the party came to the end of the corridor. They came upon a Giant Crab, under a bubble of force portecting the room from the scaldingly hot water. Riordan leapt upon the crab striking downward powerfully and repeatedly to penetrate the hardened carapace. Jace – with her usual acerbic wit – encouraged the party to get off their duffs and win the day. She was instrumental in keeping the party alive that day, and it would not have been won without her. Mithrellis of the Demon-hunting order charged in taking the brunt – that others would not take the pain. Sorin, lord of fire – managed to flash-fry the crab, AT the same time, however, he weakened the bubble, forcing Mithrellis to use his arcane knowledge to repair it – preventing the party from becoming part of a crab gumbo.

They approached the chest which had been under the protection of the crab. Inside, it contained a Trident of extreme power and its own intellect. It called out to Urious – secondary patron to Riordan. A conversation was had – and it was determined that Riordan’s skillset would not aid “Wave” in it’s goals. The weapon was handed to Sorin, and the group proceeded back to begin the next branch of The Mountain.

Session 31

We last left off on our journey, with the heroes nestled in a nearby city – Sorin in particular enjoying his time there. Thanks to his efforts, a new opportunity to find the best route to The Mountain was made obvious. As such – Riardon was now on deck, familiarizing himself with the Turathi tour guides in a manner wholly different from Sorin’s usual manner.

While investigating The Mountain in the tavern, a myth was heard – The Mad Warlock Karaptis – former lord of the Turathi Empire, had once gone missing for a month. During this time, many powerful relics of the Turathi people went missing. It is said, that The Mountain takes many who dare tread its maddening fastness – thanks to the traps, magicks and madness of this vile ruler of centuries ago.

Unfortunately, this investigation led the group to also meet “The Gilded Leaves”. A group of thugs and ruffians, Mithrellis found them abrasive. It was revealed, however that they were the buyers of the Turathi couples services. Mithrellis and Riardon were especially glad to see them on their way. Mithrellis, as it helped to avoid destruction in the town – should they get rowdy. Riardon, as it gave him something more to do than quietly lay-low, avoiding unnecessary attention which could foil his part in the plan.

As such, Riardon was on his way! Riardon, due to the swampy nature of the terrain, fell back of the group he was following – and used the treetops for cover from the group. Silently, he swung from tree to tree, and thanks to his prior study, and specific skillset – was able to follow them to The Mountain. After a short further foray upwards(and though he would be loathe to admit this, some aid from Teri – Owl familiar of Mithrellis) found the entrance they would use into The Mountain.

Upon returning to the city, the group set about securing their valuables the best way they knew how – burying their supplies in a secured chest in the midst of the woods. Off they went upon their journey into The Mountain.

Session 30

We find our party of adventurer’s yet again on the road. They come upon what appears to be a burning monastery, in this land of the Xian’lan. Upon stopping to render aid, we come upon the old Monk Liu Sheu. In spite of the language barrier, discussions revealed more about the caste system of this place – as well as the old monks lack of influence within the society.

The party – with the old monk in tow, proceeded toward the city however delays were once again experienced. A nobleman (and former student of this old monk as would later be revealed) was beating some poor commoner and his family, mercilessly and brutally. The startled nobleman fled upon discovery of his misdeeds, and Liu Sheu jumped into action chasing the man back to his estate. The party, after providing some succor to these poor souls, and followed with alacrity.

At this juncture a plan was hatched to infiltrate the compound – allowing the old monk the chance to discuss with his old pupil. Uncertainty reigned, as he was very much NOT the same as the nobleboy he had once trained.

The party spent some time in the township, gathering information, uncertain how to handle the altered nobleman, and as such decided to get back on mission. The key point – Sorin found a pair of Tiefling’s who were “guides” to the mountain which had been their objective. While no deal could be struck with these lovely folks, Sorin WAS able to enjoy a night with them before the path would need to be scouted.

This letter is on a fine piece of slightly creased parchment with fluid cursive script. At the bottom of the letter is a large wax seal with the image a thin-bladed sword crossed with a quill. A paragraph postscript details at length that these letters are classified information for the eyes of the Ridere Etherium, and that any unauthorized reader is in violation of clause 43 B, paragraphs 3 – 7 of the Sciettish Statutory Acts and Measures.

The Honorable Knight-Captain Caelthalsur Tyrvalsa,

It has been many months on the road to the leyline anchor, and we are finally nearing our destination which is deep in Escabla territory. (The Xian’lan name for goblins). We have managed to avoid detection mostly thanks to Riardan, a consummate woodsman. There was only one incident with the Escabla which was easily handled by Jace and Sorin. I was expecting a fight but they showed initiative by scaring off the ambush. They staged a theatrical performance backed by magicks which caused the beasts to flee.

Less than a fortnight later we happened upon a tower that was clearly built by the Aeichons. It featured the same mother-of-pearl stone we encountered in the ruins of Calentha. It was heavily warded with abjurations designed to keep out commoners. Due to the nature of our mission I felt compelled to investigate, perhaps this tower had something to do with the leylines.

After some time we were able to bypass the wards and enter the heart of the tower. It was as decrepit as it was ancient, with anyone of interest being long since destroyed. The tower itself was quite small and only contained a small empty room on each floor. At the top of the tower we discovered another set of aeichon runes which we were only able to translate thanks to the blessing of Eshrim. The runes were a modified version of a teleport circle and the magic circle incantation – clearly designed to summon and trap beings. It is interesting to note that the incantation used a recursive binding with a greedy non-admissible heuristic to control the flow of energy. This formula would allow a self-binding loop without any energy leak while maintaining a logarithmic cost. I have attached a copy of the diagram for the spell-shapers to study, hopefully they can use this knowledge to help solve Mordenkianan’s conundrum.

Whilst studying the runes an entity spoke to our minds, claiming to be a Gith. While I was hesitant to trust anything he said we nevertheless pressed him for information. According to the creature this tower was destroyed by a Titan and abandoned when the power source ran dry. (The circle was still functioning thanks to its ingenious construction.) He claimed to have been trapped accidentally due to a mistake in the binding. To my amazement I saw the circle had a mistake in the targeting algorithm that I had missed on my first pass!

My companion Jace did not trust this creature in the slightest, and suggested we leave. I was overconfident in my assessment of the bindings and disagreed. I was prepared to destroy the circle to free the innocent creature when I noticed the runes on the binding had changed. The creature clearly worked some magicks on my mind causing me to see what it wished. It was at that time combat was engaged and we exterminated the creature. Upon its death it transformed into a fox-like creature smelling strongly of sulfur. Examining his possessions revealed several demonic contracts and magic items, but they were devoid of the taint of the vilnach.

I am ashamed of my mistake which nearly let a Bateezu free, and it was only thanks to Jace that we avoided making a great mistake. I will be sure to ward myself against such magicks in the future and hearken to the advice of my allies. They may not have the education and training of the Ridere but they have proven themselves more than capable time and time again. I must train night and day to keep pace with what comes naturally to them. Their mastery of the arcane is effortless and part of their blood. I will redouble my efforts towards studying and training so that I do not make such a mistake again.

Session 28

In the beginning of the third month since the start of this great undertaking – the party of adventurers find themselves on a lonely stretch of road. It was several days since Mithrellis, Jace, Sorin and Riordan had left the trading town of Quhua. Given their reception inside such a trading hub – they were loathe to make themselves known to an army unit marching their way down the road. Seeing no reasonable option to hide – they greeted the Captain with aplomb.

Given that Jace could understand this marvel of a language (revolving around pitches and tones no average foreigner could distinguish) – she acted as translator between the party and the Captain. The Captain got straight to the point and Jace was simply delighted to inform the group that this Army Captain had the intention of commandeering most everything not nailed to their persons.

In the ensuing discussions with the Captain Mithrellis, Jace and especially Sorin found themselves to be in possession of cooler heads(Riordan repeatedly reminding the party of these creatures mortality) – and therefore acted to determine how best to handle the demands of the Captain. As a result of their actions – no disgrace was brought upon the Group’s Sponsor Kiang Xiaoli – and no Xianlian had to die.

Soon after this, dusk began to fall – and an abandoned township was clearly visible from the campsite. This predicament was of concern to Riordan – especially on the night of a New Mooon. Riordan therefore enlisted the aid of Sorin Dalca to explore and attempt to ascertain the possible cause of the distress. After all – the easiest way to die in the Feywild is to stay willfully ignorant of the threats near around!

Upon entry into the city – they found one native left – a drunkard slurring and carrying on in a fashion reminiscent of Boyd Ferguson after enjoying a sewer battle against an Otyugh. Regardless, through his ramblings and ruminations Riordan was able to ascertain something about a curse on the spoiled well. In so doing – Riordan revealed capabilities previously not made obvious to the group. It was at this point, that Mithrellis was called in – magical investigation and alchemical processes being a specialty of his. After investigating the well – it was determined the water was being tainted by some Necromantic fount. Mithrellis’s extended explanation of how this could happen, led Riordan to realize his knowledge of the natural world would allow him to lead the way to the source of the water flow – and hopefully the contamination.

A short period later – they found themselves in a mine complex. As they went, they found a number of holes dug in a methodical fashion. After investigating this oddity(and more than a little unnecessary swimming on Riordan’s part) an Apprentice Necromancer killed the Owl familiar of the Wizard Mithrellis. Mithrellis, quite piqued by this called upon the aid of Sorin and captured the lad.

The lad was forced to lead the group to his camp having revealed he had stolen the spellbook of his master – and failed in his attempts to duplicate these magics. Mithrellis took the most dangerous spells from the boy’s spell book, and offered the lad an opportunity. Help rebuild the community he had destroyed – and with it his name as he becomes a famed Deathspeaker. The lad was at first unimpressed – and dissatisfied with his end of the deal. Mithrellis, however went on a harangue so long that not a single other party member had the patience to sit and translate. However – in a first time for everything moment – Mithrellis actually got through to the boy! Without the use of torture devices, or even low-protein gruel, no less!

As such, we find the party once again ready to hit the road – on a quest to save the world!

A Sora Dalca Perspective

There are a few things in life that Sorin Dalca enjoyed more than anything else. Waking up with a couple of beautiful women or men in his bed, great parties, performance, and being recognized for his obvious greatness. The Feywild seemed lacking in all categories.

After leaving behind dead fungus creatures called “Red Caps” and deciding to venture on to find Boyd, the people Sorin considered the next best thing to his left behind troupe ran headlong into a group of swamp creatures. They had come here seeking something called the “Gravetree” searching for sap in a mission for Riordan’s patron. “And some patron too,” thought Sorin sulkily, “No gold, no fame, no beautiful women – just the risk of death.”

The crazy elf, Riordan, had jumped ahead of the group making an immediate run towards.. something. Sorin couldn’t be sure what as the light here was dim and thus seeing anything was very difficult. As he stayed behind with Jace, Mithrellis had started after Riordan taking his light with him. Slowly Jace and Sorin followed behind.

No, the Feywild had thus far proved to be quite the disappointment, Sorin ruminated. No beautiful women, no parties, no chances to perform, and really nothing seemed to recognize him as anything beyond prey. In the near distance some things sounded to be shambling in the swampy land. In a different direction, he heard Mithrellis begin to engage with some enemies.

The tattoos on Sorins skin begin to glow lightly under his shirt. Idly a wandering thought in his brain regretted not having a mirror nearby or a warm body to impress – Jace certainly wouldn’t care, and it was a serious pity that nobody was around to appreciate just how awe inspiring he certainly looked in that moment.

A great tattoo not far from his heart ignited sending power surging down through the inked lines on both of his arms. His hands moved bending backwards as he touch the undersides of his wrists together. The energy streaming down his arms coalesced into a flaming mass before his eyes and then launched into the distance. An explosion could be seen shortly after, three bodies suddenly ignited, two falling to the ground.

Well, there was perhaps another thing Sorin enjoyed more than anything else. Burning things to the ground. He smiled, and went to work.

Great makers – Riordan on his crazy mission for tree sap had lost a foot. He had grown sulky, and annoyed. Everybody wanted to flee the feywild, but Sorin was now pretty committed to staying. He liked Boyd, and missed his company as a drinking companion. Of all the others in this ragtag family, Boyd was one of the few that Sorin could really have some fun with. Gambling, drinking, sex – Boyd understood it all. Though admittedly substantially more disciplined than Sorin, the elf certainly appreciated the finer things as well.

After some debate, they decided to stay. Riordan was positive that this was his best chance to get his foot back. To his credit this crazy warlock had accepted that they could leave him behind in the Feywild to tend to this task on his own. Jace was certainly tempted, but Mithrellis interested in finding what had happened to Boyd, was interested in staying. Sorin would not be happy leaving family behind, regardless of how recently that family had been adopted.

During the debate a strange old woman had appeared. She sought a way out of the Feywild. Jace was immediately suspicious. Sorin smiled inwardly – who wasn’t Jace suspicious of? As the others talked to her, Sorin reflected on Jace. They had travelled together for some time before they met these others. They lived in the same traveling caravan, but had never known each other well. Even now in some ways he felt that he knew even Mithrellis better than he knew Jace, but that one wore his feelings on his sleeve more often than perhaps he knew. Admittedly Sorin was more comfortable with Jace, felt closer to her in some ways, but still she was an enigma.

The hag had a magic stone and Jace erupted in distrust. Still, the party calmed and asked her questions. She was a diviner, and she told them what she saw. She knew of a way out, but she also knew of Boyd. Jace again agitated the group to leave, Riordan encouraged staying, and even Mithrellis was faltering. His commitment to the demon-hating genie’s cause was absolute. Sorin weighed in at last. “We should stay the course. She sees Boyd, he is not far. We will worry about a way out soon.” The group decided, with Jace hesitantly agreeing. They moved on to Boyd.

The old woman was hard to read, but there was something about her that reminded him of Grandmama Ileana. Jace didn’t see it. She was waiting for her “I told you so moment.” She was always waiting for the “I told you so moment.” Sorin briefly considered writing the next part of his play about the Wardens, considering giving Jace’s character that line multiple times in the show. He thought it would be funny – she always warning them of danger, them always ignoring her, she always saying “I told you so!”

Sorin reflected for moment – perhaps he should listen to Jace more often.

Eventually they found Boyd. Well, Boyds, as there seemed to be two of them. Sorin thought this was a fun game, but the threat was certainly clear. In some ways the Feywild was really starting to grow on him. Flammable swamp creatures, tricksters playing games, strange flora and fauna – what a show. The party debated which could be the real Boyd, and each of them attempted to ask it questions to tease out the knowledge. Sorin appreciated games, especially games without rules – that meant he could play how he chose. One of his lesser tattoos lit up suddenly, and minor power began to circle around his chest, radiating in a holding pattern. Suddenly he made a choice, or rather he chose to make no choice between the two. Triggering the energy down to different paths, Sorin split the firebolt through both of his hands and fired at both Boyds.

One of the Boyds detected the incoming firebolt and immediately shifted shape running off for cover. “Gotcha,” thought Sorin, smiling widely. The other firebolt struck the real Boyd, who had barely managed to put up his shield in time to defend from it. That Boyd sputtered in rage and charged after Sorin shouting about how he was just another fey trick. This was not the first time in his life Sorin had failed to consider the long term odds, he was certainly not the best long term planner in general. He was a tumbler by training and tendency – do a fancy move, then roll with the punches.

Jace had Sorin’s back though, stopping Boyd in his tracks through some Bardish trick. Briefly Sorin thought, “Maybe a protagonist which both says I told you so and saves the party more than her fair share of the time!”

Mithrellis or Riordan, Sorin wasn’t sure which, had gone on to confront the old woman. Only she was no longer an old woman, she had transformed into something much more familiar holding a magic rock. A hag. “Oh great makers,” thought Sorin, “here it comes.”

“TOLD YOU SO!” Jace’s voice was loud, it’s fine training in the Bardic arts making her statement impossible to ignore.

They squared off against this new threat, and before too long they had cut it down.

It was eerie, really, watching Jace talk to the dead. But they gained some useful insight. Now the party was off in search of a remedy for Riordan’s leg. Again the debate had arisen. Jace clearly wanted to leave, Mithrellis, Boyd now in hand, was also favoring this choice more strongly. Sorin stood solidly with Riordan – you do not abandon your family, though he kept this to himself. He was not sure the others viewed him the same, and his pride prevented him from vocalizing how much he had come to rely on and appreciate the others. His foolish, beautiful pride.

After the fight, Boyd was not quite himself. He travelled with them, and they set off together seeking the Unsealy Court. It was not long before they were set upon by fey elves who identified themselves as the Mithrindain. They demanded the group relinquish their weapons and accompany them as prisoners to the city. Unsurprisingly, Mithrellis and Riordan would have none of this. Yet another fight in the Feywild began.

The Mithrindain’s were not much of a match. Their swordbearers did not last long under a fight with Mithrellis and Riordan. Jace helped to keep the archers at bay, and Sorin enjoyed lighting a few people up along the way. Sorin didn’t think much of the fight – in the notes he was taking for future plays, this battle would have to be substantially trumped up in order to have a place in the story. Otherwise this minor skirmish would just be window dressing, a role Sorin was happy to fill most of the time on his own.

At the end Mithrellis mentioned how odd it was that they were so often taken into custody by government officers. Inwardly, Sorin considered – there is a lesson that, Mith, do not trust those in power. He kept his comments to himself, not wishing to engage with the honorable elf about law and good.
Mithrellis, Sorin could hardly believe, stripped the female Mithrindian captain of her armor. She was naked underneath, the armor and cloth all being of one piece. Mithrellis was embarrassed and Jace confused about the effectiveness of such armor. Sorin enjoyed the women he knew naked by choice, and in an unusual act of modesty looked away. Jace helped dress the woman, and they bound her in some kind of strange, silver rope.

The captain was unusually compliant for somebody who had just been taken prisoner. She gave the party all the information they needed, and was surprisingly friendly about the entire exchange. Sorin just assumed their culture was honor oriented, and fair loss in combat was not taken personally. Shortly after being bound, the captives were willing to lead them around the nearby, seemingly hostile city and out to find a river fey named Urioros – a creature Riorden had been told could restore his lost foot.

Once they were in range of the river where Urioros resided, the elf captain asked to be released. Once freed from the rope, the elf captain’s attitude changed substantially. Apparently the rope held some very interesting qualities. Jace wanted the rope and, while Sorin certainly considered it’s many fun applications for some of the more risqué liaisons he’d encountered, there were no true objections for letting her hold on to it.

The group made their way to the river’s shores where they encountered a set of nymphs. Most of the group hung back allowing Riordan to take the lead. The nymphs wanted more from the warlock than he appeared to be able to offer, but in the end, after drinking from a bottle, he jumped into the cold river. It went quiet and no bubbles floated to the surface.

While they waited Sorin decided to take some of his concerns out on his viola. Picking up the bottle, he drank occasionally from it while playing through a new tune – somewhat abrasive and reflecting his mood. The others chatted, but Sorin didn’t really notice. He was watching the river. It is true that Riordan had appeared suddenly in their lives, but he had played an integral role in several battles. Despite his gruff nature, Sorin had enjoyed showing him up with that incredibly attractive and confident tiefling thief. Sorin’s mind wandered.

Beneath the river’s waters, Uriorios and Riordan negotiated. Riordan eventually was able to work out a deal by which he one day would provide future help to the fey creature. After the deal was struck he swam to the surface and indicated he knew the way to return the party back to Rynn. All of them made their way into the river, and swam downstream eventually emerging back into the Empress River in Rynn proper. They made plans to meet up with Kazmir in Quhua, and planned to continue their work to secure the ley lines.

Chapter 10

It would only be a few days out of Sapabel before the party would be set another unexpected task. A few nights before, Rhiardon had been sighted having poor sleep, and at least one possibly heard speaking while he slept. The stranger from the feywild had always kept the party on edge, but his eager willingness to aide them in their quest has abated their concern.

However, with the Full Fae Moon in the air, the party was once again reminded of the eerie power of the fey world. As the party camped, Mithrellis noticed a voice on the wind. Boyd, his one time brother in arms he had known from long ago, and lost to the mists, could be heard again. Not just heard, but pleading for help.

With some trepidation, Mithrellis nonetheless pursued the voice, keeping conversation as he and the party trailed it deeper into the nearby grotto. Beckoned by tails of strange creatures threating void, they moved with haste. Eventually, they found a small glen nested low in the forest. There, other voices could be heard. From what they gathered, they learned that strange fey creatures where hunting boyd: redcaps.

As the party approached a cave mouth, they discovered a few of these small creatures. Individually, they were ferocious and bloodthirsty, but not seriously threatening. Two creatures quickly felled, they tracked the third into the cave only to find the way barred, and no sign save a bloody smear on the wall.

They did not exit the same way they entered. Instead, they found the hairs on their necks raised, and Rhiardon letting out a sigh of lament…for they had stumbled into the Feywild. With Kazamir left back with the camp, the rest were left to follow the voice further, hoping to make this jaunt worthwhile, and recover Boyd from whatever danger he lay.

Before they could get far, however, they were set upon in full force by a large gang of redcaps. In the high brush, these small creatures proved difficult to pin down. Further still, there appeared to be one amongst them that was harder to pin down than most – some quick creature able to move at ease amongst the Shrubbery. Yet, the battle would prove the party victorious – Sorin taking little enjoyment at the harrassment set about torching much of the nearby trees, leaving a few redcaps exposed. From there, Rhiardon was able to end them in one short blow.

With the creatures dead or fled, the party chose to regroup, and decide on their next course of action. Do they continue the hunt for Boyd, or seek to return to the mortal world quickly by means they can still comprehend?

Chapter 9

Near their arrival to Sapabel, the party began collecting rumors of other travelers ahead of them, and picked upt he trail of the likely thieves that had framed them in a svanesse village a ways back. In the interest of payback and curosity, the party tracked down the rogues to the Quiet Monk, a converted temple to tavern on the northern edge of the city.

There, they found Tajana and her crew, the self ascribed mercenaries that the party deduced must be the culprits of the crime. Tajana shown to be an astute social agent, and tripped up both Rhiardon and Sorin who attempted to gain more intelligence about their activities. They learned little else about her compatriats – ‘Quint’ and Zhidkov.

What they did learn, is that the group in question was, for hire, in a sense. Tajana offered more information, contingent on the collection of an item held by a Mabusi merchant noble housed here in the city. Upon following up on the location and Sorin attempting to fast talk his way past the guard, they realized that the noble was shrewed, and perhaps somewhat paranoid.

Prevented from moving forward, the party then set about following Tajana and her posse around the city for a day, hoping to learn more. Rhiardon set to the task with a will, and stalked her from the rooftops of Sapabel. For the most part, Rhiardon was able to track his prey unhindered. After sufficient patience, he located Tajana’s hideout in an abandoned manor home in the center of the city.

From there, Mithrellis outlined a plan in which he disguised himself as the group, seeing them split up, and infiltrated the manor. He walked into the front door without a worry, noting the Bloodhawk insignia on the members stationed around the home. Investigating the upstairs, he found Tajana’s room, and quietly managed to slip into the room, with no one the wiser. After a brief moment to scan the room, though, he was met by a knock on the door; it appeared he had not entirely evaded detection. Searching quickly, Mithrellis scanned the room, and found a hidden box that held the object they sought: The Horn of Anael.

From there, it was a blur as Quint bust into the room, Mithrellis had changed to look like Tajana, though not enough to entirely fool Quint. There was a window, and Mithrellis portaled out it, on to the city streets below. A brief chase ensued as Mithrellis ran from Quint, nearly evading him.

It was then that Mithrellis met a mercenary of comparable skill; for Quint appeared suddenly in front of him. A quick exchange of arcane juking ended when Quint lay bare his power of divine magic upon Mithrellis, reducing the mage to the size…and form of a mouse. With the object in question dropped, Quint recovered the Horn, and proceeded to slip back into the shadows as Jace and Sorin caught up.

Meanwhile, Rhirdon, hoping to sound the alarm would be found later by the rest of the party drinking deep of ale and spirits, and prying an arrowhead out of his shoulder; he would recount a meeting of an unseen assailant with excellent aim that plucked him out of the air on his dash back to warn the party of Tajana’s unexpected return. Left without another meaningful lead, and fearing time slipping on their main quest, the party decided to let sleeping dogs lie, and set back out on the road.

The next few days would be uneventful as the party licked its wounds, pondering what-ifs and could-ofs. Kazimir remained pensive and quiet along the road, Rhiardon absorbed in self reflection, Sorin aloof, Mithrellis absorbed in distracted reading. Only Jace seemed to have some hesitation and concern about their future.

Chapter 8

After tying up any loose ends the party had in Kalentha, they decided to head back to Algar to gather their gear before heading to one of the ley line locations. Bembe was no longer outside the ruins, and after contacting him magically, Kazamir found out that they had been inside for twelve days and that Bembe had headed home by himself. Taking the teleportation circle out of the Sanctum, the party backtracked through the mountains and down to Algar. During a days rest in the city, Kazamir unlocked the chest they had found near Akathis's work place, Mithrellis bought some maps, and the party heard two rumors. First, as it was nearing the winter solstice, there would soon be a large festival held in the town to the west. Second, the number of gnoll attacks had greatly increased in the area and the military was busy fighting them back.

Though the party had originally determined the capital city of Cieron to be their best bet for teleportation circle to one of the cities near a ley line, they decided something needed to be done about the gnolls and that they could then head south to Jin'lan. Seeing an opportunity to make some coin along the way, Kazamir wrote up a contract to form a mercenary contract to be officially recognized as "The Wardens" in Svain. The party headed South towards the Howling Savannah and the military camps fighting the gnolls there. Upon arriving in the camp, the party met with a familiar commander that Mithrellis and Sorin had talked to on the way north. While they did not want a mercenary company disrupting the disciplined ranks of fighters on the front lines, they did need scouts and did offer the party a two-week contract to scout north and west of the camp. The first two days of scouting were relatively slow, only finding signs of old battles and camps. On the third day however, Riardon found a recent gnoll camp and followed after the footprints that headed north. The party gave chase, and after some deliberation, decided to ambush the pack of twelve gnolls they had found. Having fought a group of gnolls before, the party believed they could easily defeat the pack, but the gnolls seemed strangely tougher than before. Perhaps this had something to do with the cabal of shamans leading the hord, one of which was among the pack.

After a brief surprise, the gnolls rallied back and attacked. Kazimir and Riardon jumped into the fray while Sorin, Jace, and Mithrellis hung back to throw spells and songs among the enemies. While some gnolls fell quickly, more leapt towards Jace and Mithrellis. Mithrellis turned into a blur of flashing steel as his blade deflected blows left and right and struck back in retaliation. Kazimir began tracking the cabalist that fled the battle, but just as he was about to enter the cave he had just discovered, the vines and branches around him struck out.

This letter is on a fine piece of slightly creased parchment with fluid cursive script. The handwriting suggests the author was writing with some haste. At the bottom of the letter is a large wax seal with the image a thin-bladed sword crossed with a quill. A paragraph postscript details at length that these letters are classified information for the eyes of the Ridere Etherium, and that any unauthorized reader in violation of clause 43 B, paragraphs 3 – 7 of the Sciettish Statutory Acts and Measures.

The Honorable Knight-Captain Caelthalsur Tyrvalsa,

Today proved to be no less enlightening than the last. The aeichon Eshrim, having been restored to his former glory, bestowed upon us gifts in thanks for our service to the cause. He entrusted a shining blade made of a pure white light to me, along with a beautiful longbow that enhanced the distance of my spells. Upon my companions he presented gifts no less powerful, each of which seemed to fit the wielder's temperament and style.

I have not had the chance to study these items at length, but upon a cursory glance it is clear the magicks that empower these items are far beyond our current capabilities. The items themselves are made out of a strange white metal that is both durable and light, and seemingly hollow. They seem to be crafted out of the same material as the walls I have described in my previous correspondences. I will attempt to procure a sample to send to the alchemists, I know that Rutherion would be pleased to experiment with this material.

The magicks of the weapon themselves are intricate and complex, with multi layered thread that cross each other to form a more sturdy weave. I know that Pangrem had theorized that such a thing could be done, but I still cannot comprehend how the underlaying abjurations were able to support the flow of the essence without causing any negative feedback. Perhaps more interesting is that the wielder himself supplies the impetus for the enchantment. It would seem that the very life force we provide acts as a link which completes the chain of the multi layered weave, that is to say without a wielder these items will not function. This supports Amandir's thesis that the intangible, or the soul acts as a conduit for magick as we know it … but this would go against hundreds of years of research proving that arcane magick is independent of the Gods. If you can find any copies of Amandir's research, I humbly request that I be allowed access to the banned tome pursuant to regulation 56c, allowing access to dangerous materials while in the field. I strongly believe this warrants more research.

After receiving the artifacts the strange mage Akathis returned. It would seem my suspicions of him proved correct, because after a verbal disagreement regarding his access to the aeichon's knowledge, he removed the illusions surrounding his form and revealed himself to be a Nothic. He chanted a deadly conjuration which spewed forth billowing green clouds of poisonous gas, and attempted to steal the receptacle in which Eshrim was contained.

We were forced to engage him and his hordes of undead minions in battle. I understand you had your earlier suspicions about my companions, especially the tiefling Sorin, the human Jace, and the warlock Riardon. I am pleased to report that if it were not for their heroic efforts I would not be alive today to write this letter. Jace saved my life several times with her healing magicks, Sorin displayed an incredible aptitude for evocations and incinerated most of the horde, and Riadron fought the ferocity of a caged beast, cleaving undead apart with his sword.

This is not the first time they have saved my life, and I am officially repeating my request that I be allowed to cease reporting on their activities, and they be no longer classified as subjects of interest.

I am pleased to report that thanks to the heroics of my companions we were able to slay the Nothic and his thralls. Our next steps shall be to investigate the weakening between the planes in an attempt to seal the rifts the Vilnach are pouring through. I pray that Mystra will guide us and the brave Knights to seal the wounds our plane has suffered before it is too late.

Chapter 6

As the door shuddered open, the party was greeted by a wizened old man. He greeted them in archaic Turathi and introduced himself as Akathis, the caretaker of this bastion, Kalentha. Drawing his arm from the folds of his robe, he showed an arm cursed by the Vilnach and slowly turning his body into that of a demon. This, he said, is what caused him to search for the bastions of the Aichen in hopes of finding a cure to his malady. As Akathis led the party through the spartan halls of the ruins he explained how he managed to enter the bastion 300 years ago and survived till now, studying the works kept in the library in search of answers.

Upon entering the main hall, the group saw what they assumed to be the entrance to the sanctuary of the bastion. Akathis said that despite many efforts on his part and others, no one had breached the door in the 300 years he had been there. Mithrellis and Riardon stayed to investigate while the others went to distract the old man in the library. Kazamir and Sorin attempted to ask Akathis about his research and the bastion, but each question seemed to further annoy the man until everyone decided it was best to leave him to his research. Jace stumbled upon a hastily covered alcove, but lacked the privacy to investigate properly. Mithrellis luckily had more luck with Eshrim, finding that the door could be opened similarly to the first one, with time and Eshrim's effort. After a brief attempt at trying to get Akathis to join them and failing, the party regrouped at the door to the sanctuary.

The party waited for about fifteen minutes as Eshrim wrestled with the locks, but eventually the door opened to a long, empty hallway. Despite looking like a culling hallway to thin the rank of enemies during a siege, the party found no traps and made it safely to the end where they were met with another door. Despite growing up inside mountains, Kazimir could not shake a sense of unease in these tunnels, and as we approached the door, Mithrellis seemed to be losing his connection to Eshrim. After Kazimir poured some magical energy into Eshrim's orb and Mithrellis began the unlocking procedure again. Upon opening, the group saw a small room with stairs that lead down. After Riardon and Mithrellis's familiar scouted the area, it was deemed safe to proceed.

This time, as the party crossed the threshold they all felt a slight shift around them, but could not make anything out and carried on. After descending the stairs, a large hall stretched before them with alcoves to the sides and a towering statue in the center. Wary after the previous attack by statues at the entrance, the party advanced in battle formation. As expected, the large statue and three smaller ones in the alcoves sprung to life and attacked. Riardon jumped to the closest one, as he is want to do, and struck it down with a fury that easily shattered stone. Kazimir rushed in to confront the largest statue and found his warhammer wanting against the enchanted stone. After two strikes from the giant golemn, Kazimir nearly fell, only surviving because of Jace's healing words. Mithrellis cast a spell upon Riardon, causing his motions to blur at the speed of light. Riardon heard the faint voice of Eshrim say something that sounded like "Get out!" He and Mithrellis then rushed towards the door at the far end of the hall past the statues to begin unlocking it. The remaining statues closed on Kazimir, but a volley of combined spells from Sorin, Jace, and Kazimir shattered even the largest foe. With no more reason to rush, the party stood around the final door as Mithrellis inserted Eshrim to unlock it.

Inside was a massive throne room, in that it was a room with a towering throne with an equally large statue sitting in it. At the top, in the forehead of the statue, there was an indent similar to those in the doors, so Mithrellis climbed to the top to place Eshrim's orb. Kazimir weary from the fight, sat against a wall as Jace tried to convince him that he needed more healing. The others looked about the room and may have even briefly hoped to see Mithrellis slip for the entertainment. As the orb entered the slot, a bluish creature overlapped the sitting statue and then rose to stand in front of us clad in a toga with wings hanging from its back. This creature introduced itself as Eshrim in his true form.

Eshrim explained to the party first that the room they had just been in had been temporally manipulated to slow intruders, which is why we could not reach him. Then he proceeded to tell everyone more about the history of himself and why he needed our help. It seems Eshrim was the third warden of the bastion Kalentha, though there had been others after him. He talked about the barriers between our world and the weakening of the barriers between it and the astral sea. This is what was allowing Vilnach to slip into our world, and if no one prevented further damage to the barrier, more and more Vilanch would come to ravage our world. There are a series of ley-lines that connect the planes, and each has an anchor somewhere in the world. Three of these anchors have been damaged or destroyed, and a fourth was already under attack. We would be able to repair these anchors, but to do so we would need to travel to the Turathi Empire, the Arcosian Desert, Jin-lan, and somewhere on the other side of the world. Eshrim offered the party a gift to aid them.

Starting with Mithrellis and moving to Riardon, then Sorin, and then Kazimir, Eshrim touched each of their heads and a golden light spilled out. Eshrim claimed this gift would allow them to read any of the Aichen's encrypted tomes (each rune actually existed in three dimensions, allowing for dense storage) and to use the teleportation circle in the next room to transport to the foot of the mountain or any other bastion they had visited. Jace, ever skeptical of Eshrim and people in her mind, hesitated before accepting the gift. She said she wasn't sure why Eshrim needed us specifically, or even why anyone else would want her to join them. Mithrellis went off about how it's the noble and right thing to do. Riardon seemed happy to be allowed to kill things. Sorin seemed to understand the best, but said that he couldn't sit by as people died when he could be helping. Kazimir pointed out how Jace had quite literally just saved his life minutes ago and that it had not been the first time she had done so. Finally she relented and accepted Eshrim's gift. As Eshrim touched her head though, there was a brief struggle and a purple flash before the golden light. Eshrim explained that a Vilnach taint had been placed on Jace, and anything she had seen or heard till then was also seen by the Vilnach. Mithrellis did something right for once and wasn't a smug ass about it.

Chapter 5

As the party made sense of the previous ambush, it seemed that prudence was in order, and Riardon, for all his mystery, was a better ally than the mercenaries in the forest. The party, with new information, trecked northward into the woods. For a couple nights, they slog out through the dry brush and foliage, attempting to keep a careful eye out for the bandits.

After 2 days, they stumbled upon a sentry post, deserted. Alert, they fanned out looking for the culprit, then laid an ambush when no signs of life were found. Later that night, sentries returned, and with stealth and guile, they were quickly dispatched by the party; no witnesses.

From there, the party was able to locate the bandit camp in earnest, and for once they had the initiative. Riardon and Sorin flanked out around the camp, settled at the bottom of a forest ridge, working to carefully traverse the steep hills and rough terrain. Before them, they saw half a dozen tents, with at least one large pavilion and an lean-to stable. Stocks of grain, food, weapons, and water littered the camp, indicating that this was a long term operation.

The group, eager about having the upper hand, launched a quiet assault on the eastern edge, near a corral. Upon inspection, Sorin discovered that a strange beast was being kept penned and caged on the camp outskirts, and set about trying to free the beast. As sentries came to investigate, the party belatedly began to take them out, not interested in leaving survivors. After several moments, a lull in the fighting as the commander emerged from the pavilion.

Garrett "Ironhand", the party would come to find, was a grizzled veteran who had a few tricks up his sleeve. An accomplished artificer and holding a powerful powerarm gauntlet, the Ironhand unleashed torrents of lightning and fire upon the party. Nearly overwhelmed, the party just barely managed to stave off the assault, with Mithrellis taking the vanguard position, and holding the attackers at bay while Jace brought Riardon back from unconsciousness.

With Sorin distracted working to free the caged beast, The rest exchanged a flurry of missile attacks at the eastern edge of the camp. Slowly, but surely, the bandits faltered, as the darkness aided the party sheltering them from the vollies of bolter fire. Despite a few desperate shots by a crack sniper, the tide seemed to turn. Yet, the Ironhand had one other asset available.

A Xianlian spy, the party would learn, snaked through the foliage, and proved to foil the parties attempt at simply assault, nearly incapacitating Kazimir and Jace. Even wounded, the spy appeared an adept fighter and possessed of unnatural speed and agility. Were it not for the quick thinking of Jace, he might have also escaped once the battled had shifted. Playing a song on the flute given by Illyana, the spell within laid the spy to sleep, removing him from the field.

After Garret was subdued, the remaining bandits fled, the camp scattered and tossed. The party searched the camp, finding a trove of stolen goods and treasures. After securing their two highest value prisoners, they sought to interrogate them for information. The Xianlian was less than forthcoming, but Garret proved to be somewhat cooperative. Bargaining for his release, and secrets on some of the treasure, he revealed that a political senator by the name of Emanuel is likely a prime actor in the creation of the camp and the banditry in the region. Garrett seemed to be reluctant or unable to reveal more than a name, but it was a enough for the party to release him with a couple rations as he escaped into the forest.

The Xianlian, agitated with Garret, appeared to be in some coordination with the operation, but attempts to scour his mind with magic or persuasion yielded nothing. The only thing of note they learned was the Xianlian appeared to be part of an elite group, a hand to the emperor, indicating the severity of the issue. Still, there wasn't much the party could learn, and with ruthless efficiency, the spy was beheaded.

With interrogations completed, the party made quickly to secure anything valuable, and make haste back to Vinne via terath. They met no resistance along the way, luckily, and arrive in Terrath the night after, loaded for bear with coin, treasure, and other easily transported goods. After some negotiation with Dilila and a few other villagers and survivors, the party decided to try and dole out a portion of the goods to those who were met with misfortune earlier. Some were upset, claiming the party did not return what was rightfully theres, but most were glad to regain something, and to be relieved that the bandit threat had been dealt with. Mikail, in particular, was elated to find the return of his trade agreements, and was able to complete his mission, if late.

With reparations made, the party returned to Vinne, to claim victory, spoils, and fame from the inhabitants. Upon returning the bounty of proof to the Trade minister, however, the party learned that the contract in question had been a ruse of sorts, and the party was shorted much of what they were promised. Sorin and Mithrellis were particular scorned, and so set about making an example out of Enrique. With a weeks work, Sorin and Mithrellis wrote, "Blood and Coin' a play detailing their exploits, and mocking the political leaders who tried to use them to their advantage. Despite some bumpy starts, the play nonetheless became popular with exposure, and within a month, the group had become local celebrities.

Afterward, the party settled on their next task, urged by the orb Eshrim, to travel north to the moutains near Algar. There, they hope to discover the lost bastion of the Aichen, and learn more about Vilnach and their resurgance.

Chapter 4

After the ambush, the party gathered themselves and search the immediate area for clues regarding their assailants. From their investigation, they gathered a few facts. At least one of the deceased bandits (their head imploded under Kazamir's sonic device) had the mark of the bloodhawks, a well known and powerful criminal organization, though their presence this far south of the capital is concerning. Also interesting was one of the bolts recovered from the sniper (and Mithrellis's armor). The bolt was closer to a large needle, made entirely of metal, it lacked fletching or irregularity. Lastly, was the absence of trails or markings from the xianlian caravan the party had been trying to catch up to. While a log in the middle of the path suggests a barriar, no sunken wheel ruts or footprints suggest the caravan was stopped. This caused for concern as the party wonders of the caravan was part of the ambush, or had advanced notice.

Pressing forward, the party continued along the road until they reached a branch for the night, in the small village of Terath. A small community built around a lumber industry, it boasted little more than a large boarding house and tavern. The party split up for the night, making arrangements and seeking information as they saw fit. Sorin, with his musical talents, sought to woo the local populace, and entertain the locals, gaining them local hospitality, and some gossip on bandits and affairs. Visiting with the party, they arrived at the Hostel of sorts that served as the main hub of activity for the region. Inside, they were met with dozens of wounded and injured travelers recovering from attacks, some having been there for weeks. Dominga, a priestess of Anael, tended to their hurts, and after the offer of aid by Mithrellis, warmed to their attentions and questions. They learned more about the type of attacks and personality of the bandits. Over the course of the night, Mithrellis would be able to piece the disperate locations and times of attacks from the wounded to gain an idea of where the bandits where located.

Meanwhile, Kazamir, Jace, and Boyd attended to the local tavern for other information. Not much was had, and the area was full of locals, who are more skeptical of these strange adventurers. Boyd, distraught by events, sought to relieve himself in drink, but his temper got the better of him, and nearly killed a local, who was of no real threat. Nonetheless, he did not make any friends that night. Jace, by contrast, managed to spot a struggling muscovan dwarf in the corner of the tavern. Suspecting more, she inquired and learned that he was Mikhail, the Federations envoy sent south to the outpost. Distraught, Jace learned about his plight; robbed and injured, he just managed to limp back to Terath. However, without his contract, he could not fulfill his mission, and he was ashammed and afraid to return home, fearing that he would be sent home and his families stipend recinded.

Jace attempted to coax him to return, that she might prove her worth to the others, but Mikhail was not willing. When Jace threatened to drag him back by force, Kazamir managed to step in quell the fight. Several drinks later, Kazamir offered to help Mikhail recover his contract if possible, and they would return to the village when their mission ended.

Boyd, after unceremoniously leaving the tavern, briefly tranced before scouting the perimeter of the village for clues, and to clear his head. In the middle of the night, he spotted what looked to be a caravan, lit by torches, heading south along the road. Quickly, he gathered the party, and they moved to pursue them, hoping against hope that they may have caught a break. In the early predawn, the party caught up to a slow moving caravan, as it had stopped and voices could be heard. As a few of the party crept closer to hear, they stumbled, giving away there presence. The party just barely managed to remain hidden as guards swept the area.

Weary and exhausted, the party retreated back into the woods a bit farther and high up from the road to camp out, deciding on their plans for the next morning. Sleeping in to the late morning, the party awoke to find Boyd gone without a trace. In his place, tangled and heaving in his bedroll, was a strange half-elven man, dressed in an odd mix of loose armor and pale robes, and brandishing a great silvered sword. Pinned and question, the man revealed himself to be Riardon, a svanesse citizen, recently returned. Claiming to have been trapped in the Feywild, he claimed that, to his knowledge, the year was 105 last he spoke to his mother and left the mortal plane.

Before he could be questioned further, though, bolts shot out through the air and the party was set upon in earnest by a set of bandits. It appeared the forces that had escaped the previous day had returned with reinforcements, and meant to finish the job. The battle was scattered and tense for a brief moment, but soon the combatants fell. Their strange captive went to the party's aide without hesitation, and displayed an unusual and supernatural power. His fighting style was wild and ephemeral as he charged without hesitation toward foes, and lept prodigiously into the air moments before severing limbs from bodies with his blade.

In the end, their were no survivors. Initially, two captives, the swordsman and the mage were captured alive, magically sent to sleep by Riardon and Jace. However, when interrogated, they gave little info. Uncooperative, Riardon quickly executed them before the decision could be agreed to. One piece of information was gained however; the bandits did confirm they had a base in the area, and according to the swordmaster, a passphrase (Anotha) needed to be given to the scouts to alert their party of their presence.

At that point, the party resumed to discussion and disagreement as they worked to make sense of this new stranger. Without another path, Riardon agreed to help the others find their ally Boyd, and stay with them on their current endevor. Seeing him fight, the party found that it was best to have an experienced fighter near to them rather than alone on the road. With trepidation, the party sought to head north into the deep forest to find the bandits camp and, if possible, cut the rot from the trees.

Chapter 3

Looking to pursue the bandits raiding trade caravans south of Vinne. To that end the party began making preparations before venturing south. Jace, on her own accord, went to visit some of the merchants hold up in the city. There, she spoke with Kiang Xiaoli, a Xianlian merchant who has some recent knowledge and contacts. With some persuasion, Jace was able to make an agreement with several merchants; an investment of sorts. With a small down payment, Jace offered to clear the bandits from the crown road, and open the roads for the merchants. In exchange, they would be given advance notice of the clearing, and would leave a small bounty for Jace upon her return.

Also, while haggling with the Merchants, Jace learned of a Muscovan Federation merchant, Mikhail, who was part of a small entourage. He had set out to a Xianlian outpost ahead of the rest, and was cited as missing by his compatriots. Jace agreed to look into the matter if convenient.

Meanwhile, Kazamir and Sorin returned to the town hall to gather info on the bandits from the town officials. They were directed to speak with councilman Enrique, the trade magistrate. Terse, and skeptical, Enrique provided scraps of info on the bandits activities, operations. Between their visit, and some additional intel gathered by Mithrellis, they learned the bandits seem to be waylaying caravans crossing the crownroad that are week and undefended. These tend to me more independent or sole proprietor merchants, not guild merchants. There appear to be a mix of unscathed, wounded, and dead as a result of these ambushes. Also, while reports seem to indicate that many of the bandits were likely exiles or criminals prior, there is sense of coordination in the attacks.

While hesitant, Enrique did agree to offer the party a warrant for the capture or death of bandits in the region. With legal protection, the party was given license to defend and attack outlaws that did not submit to local rule. Since much of the region is fairly unsettled though, the effect is more a de facto bounty, provided the party don't leave cause for retribution.

Lastly, the party, through the merchant Kiang, was given a contact that they could 'escort' and travel with – a Xianlian iron merchant named Leng Xiang. Expecting to leave with the Xianlian the following morning, the party learned that the caravan had left ahead of them, with no hesitation or delay.

Confused and apprehensive, the party set out quickly to gain ground and reconvene with the caravan. While the party did well to move quickly, Mithrellis eventually gave way to the rest of the party, falling behind. He would gain on the party again, but only just as they were ambushed only a few hours outside the city.

The ambush was far from a surprise, the party spying an obstacle in the road just past a bend. Jace and Sorin snuck their way forward through the underbrush, Sorin being spotted only a few feet away. A brief struggle ensued as the bandit attempted to pin Sorin, though he was able to nimbly escape the clutches. From there, pandemonium erupted as bolts flew through the trees and strange fog appears, masking the approach of several others in the trees. The party fought a harrowing battle, leveraging their magic against the cunning of the bandits. Sorin's flame and Jace's mental torments managed to sow fear and chaos in several bandit bruisers, while Boyd and Kazimir would fight a skirmish with a mage and skilled swordsman. All this took place under pinning sniper fire.

Slowly but surely, the party would kill or injure a handful of the assailments, pressuring them to a retreat. The bandits were able to leverage magic to escape, but only just. Battered, but alive.

Chapter 2

The party has recovered a chest of a wealthy and mysterious Arkoshian dignitary, discovering several golden tablets worth a noble's ransom. With that information, Jace and Sorin spent some time carousing the town's taverns on information about Arkoshia. They learned that most of the mercenaries in town are being paid, in Arkoshian coin, for no explicit purpose.

Meanwhile, Kazamir and Mithrellis met with the town council to explain the disappearance of the mayor and help quell unrest in the city, as well as put an end to the quarantine. The meeting didn't go well, as the council was rather superstitious and skeptical of the parties claims without any evidence. Only later did they manage to support their case and earn some trust, but not the adulation they perhaps were hoping for.

Afterward, over the course of a week, the party took care of their own affairs. Sorin and Jace, each through their own means, managed to make a name for themselves and the party and quietly spread their tales through the town populace. Sorin even managed to do so while earning a small fortune gambling.

About a week later, Mithrellis 's senior, Lieutenant Charnach questioned him on his activities immediately after arriving, and Mithrellis revealed the origins and remains of the Night Hag. He was shown the head by Boyd, which was promptly burned. Upon further questioning, Mithrellis revealed that at least one item was recovered from the Night Hag, her staff.

He revealed that his companion Jace, possessed it, and they both sent for her to bring it. However, Jace evaded, and after a series of poor deceptions and evasions, eventually used the staffs recently acquired power to alter Charnach's memory of the staff. This action would cause a division between Jace and Mithrellis . Now with plans to resolve the issue of bandits south of the city on the Crownroad, the party wonder's if their new found partnership can keep the trust that has been made.

Prologue and Chapter 1

our story begins in the city of vinne, one of the lone islands of civilizations in the southern kingdom of svain. the youngest of svain's metropolitan city centers, vinne houses a population around 8,000, with another 8,000 in the outlying villages, namely to the north and east. founded 120 years ago, svain lies on the southern border, and serves as a trade hub for frontier settlers and merchants that explore the southwestern frontier of the kingdom.

the kingdom of svain, at present, enjoys a uneasy peace with its southern neighbor, the empire of xianlian, as well as the turathi kingdoms and the arkoshian caliphate to the east, across the halien straits. the gnoll hordes to the west, in the howling savannah plague much of svains western expanse, their raids keeping much of the expansion contained. the other main threat to svain are the goblins of escabla. more organized than the gnolls, they still lack the organization to let them be self sufficient, and so they periodically make war on the svanesse, predominantly by campaigns in the northern end of the continent. the result is an army stretch to maintain an every growing expanse of border, and forced to prioritize threats. the city of vinne, to date, has remained relatively protected. outside its founding, the city has remained safe from raids and assaults in the years that it has grown. the garrison, remains vigilant, though never tested. however, for those who consider svain a threat, vinne stands as a small monument to svains aggressive territorial ideals.

in the year 305 after empire, our party has found themselves in vinne, each for their own reason. the ridire squire mithrellis, hailing from scietti, is on pilgrimage on behalf of his order, and has traveled to the frontier town to find a means to aide the locals against any outsider threats. the performers sorin and jace are part of a turathi troupe that is currently roaming svain in their nomadic lifestyle. sorin is a talented acrobat, musician, actor, and sorcerer extraordinaire, whilst jace is an extraordinaire musician, and gifted with 'the voice', able to harness music toward magical ends. the muscovan known as kazimir is an immigrant from his homeland, looking to enhance his skills in crafting and artifice. vinne is only the most recent location he has managed to find a mentor and develop his skills outside the observation of the federation guilds. lastly, the sciettish mercenary, boyd, is recently returned from excursions in arkoshia, where he is dealing with the trauma of losing his squad to betrayal, and is hiding in self imposed exile.

the party meet each other, a foggy night in vinne, to the sound of warning bells and shrieks of panic flood through the street. the clamor can be only one thing – gnolls. despite a history of caution, it appears the gnolls have turned up in force, and sought to take the town. the party come across each others path in a desperate fight for survival, able to kill or wound gnolls where citizens and garrison recruits do not. they fight desperately, retreating back to the garrison. all, accomplished spell casters, are able to bend their magic to holding of the wave of savagery for a time. yet, their foe is relentless, and cunning. despite not having as many numbers as would be expected, they seem to gain every advantage, and dispatch resistance methodically and deceive. in the end….they die, hold up together in a bunker.

only…they dont.

THEDREAM

the party awake to find the event a dream, real and vivid. more importantly, as they walk the town, they recognize their faces, and the sight of recognition is returned. not in all, but for the party, there is a shared sense of suffering, if not real, than what? the party, though, were not the only ones to remember this shared dream. another, a young man named mateo, begins to gather the disparate few who recall this experience. with the parties help, he is able to give them knowledge of something deep and sinister.

from there, the party take up his mission, scouring the city for information regarding this strange dream that has infected the town, with most unaware of it. they explore the sewers underneath the city, encountering a strange rat man that harriers their exploits, and the influence of a strange fungi that has begun to grow in the humid waters below. little by little, they track the influence, down through the broken water treatment plant, and the sewage outlet, where they encounter a vile beast that guards the way. disease for a time, mithrellis and boyd recover as the party retreat, relaying their information to mateo. as time passes, the party gain more clues, but the forces that be act in response. the party eventually finds a trail leading from the sewers to the bluffs west of the city, along the lake. tenuously, the party makes the trek, and with perserverence, finds a cave system hidden among the shoals. inside, the cave is filled with the same fungi as the sewers, the place seemingly isolated and removed. as the approach the back of the cave, though, they are assaulted by strange beasts, bat like creatures of darkness, and primordial sludge that seems on pure mindless death. the party utilize fire and lightning, and wrest themselves from these monstrous creatures, wounded but alive, and more intrigued than ever.

the party returns for new insights, only to find mateo dead, stone cold and without struggle in his inn bed. the authorities are alerted, and make to remove the body, but not before jace can lift some of his positions for the party to puzzle over.

amongst the items are a medallion of the organization mateo spoke of, the protectorate, their mission somewhat unclear. more strange, though, is an odd orb, black as the night sky, and specked with starlight within. in contemplation, mithrellis awakes the soul within, an angelic mind that calls itself eshrim. here, the party learns that he has worked to aide mateo in his hunt for the vilnach, an ancient foe, demons and worse that seek to destroy the world they know. mithrellis pledges his servitude to eshrim, in exchange for information and aide, and a bond is formed.

with eshrims gifts, the party returns to the cave, determined to find answers. past the point of the prior ambush, the party finds the cave has a pocket beyond. upon deep exploration, they find the remnants of a hideout. a home, of sorts, the lair is filthy, and barely hospitable. yet, before they can investigate, the party is set upon once again, this time, by gnolls. gaunt, ragged, and famished, they assault the party like starving animals. sorin is nearly torn to pieces, and saved only just by boyd and kazimir. once dispatched, the party explore the cave in detail. they discover strange fey script, odd alchemical work, and ancient and rather gruesome texts. beyond this layer, lies one last chamber. as the party press on, they see the remnants of a cage, seeing the gnolls where kept as captive.

THECAVE

hearing a strange muttering, the party investigate, and are surprised to find three strange creatures around a room, with a cauldron, and a strange beast on a throne beyond. the creatures are not friendly, and appear to posses magic of their own. a desperate fight ensues, as the party struggles against the magic. as they would discover, the hags possess a powerful advantage in a group, and nearly kill sorin, jace, and boyd. the gifted voice of jace is able to rescue sorin and boyd from unconsciousness before she too falls, and mithrellis manages through deft swordplay to pin one hag to the cauldron whist kazamir utilizes his strange devices to detonate one of the hags in a gore explosion of sound. battered and burned, the party explores the remnants of the cave, and meet the strange beast, a captive by the name of pophorous. known as a mycinoid, pophorous explains how he can speak through the fungi, and his mind is one with those who have inhaled the spores. the party realize that the spores have likely spread throughout the city, infecting anyone within miles.

pophrous goes on to explain how he has been forced here against his well. indicating his chair, he is seen to be growing on the throne, unable to move. in has lap, a strange rough hewn crystal, the size of a cannon shot, it shows cracks of dark back and red vines fractured from within. pophorous explains how he isn't allowed his own dreams, but rather the dreams of the mind within the stone. eshrim expounds, stating that this is the mind of a powerful vilnach, an otherworldly creature. the party conclude that this creature have manipulating the dreams of the entire town, making them relive the same horrific experience over and over, but yet they forget it in the morning.

the party, then interrogate one of the hags left alive, though they don't tell much – mocking the party in a strange ancient language. they speak of one more hag, their leader, othera, and the vengeance that will be visited upon them. the party, weary and without patience, kill the remaining prisoner, and speak with pophorous on how to free him. explaining how their sun will degrade him, the party must wait till night to move him, and must develop a system to move his large body across the crag like cliffs near the lake.

the party decide to leave pophorous where he is for the night, and return the following night with supplies. they do so, and come back to discover pophorous dead, the hags bodied burned in solemn ceremony, and a message of warning waiting for them. "return the stone, and you will be spared". naturally, the party refuses, and so a desperate hunt for othera, while trying to avoid the same plight that befell mateo. after the insights of eshrim, the party learn that othera is a master of disguise, and has made herself in the image of dilila, the mayor of vinne. in a meeting, they come to a silent understanding of each other, and later that night, mithrellis is visited in message. othera asks that the party return to the cave once more, to parlay, otherwise the citizens of the town will suffer her wrath.

the party, sensing an trap, relent to showing, in an effort to take othera, dead or alive. the party arrive, and after doomed negotiations, boyd attempts a rear ambush against othera. despite having the visage of an old woman, othera proves a formidable foe, with skin stronger than steal, sharp claws scour kazimir and mithrellis, while sorin and jace attempt to pin their foe with magic. with the tide turning, though, othera senses danger, and retreats into the ether like a ghost. nearly lost, kazimir is able to locate her moving through the earth itself by her staff, an artifact of magical power. like a beacon, kazimir tracks the item through the caves, the earth, the city, and back to the sewer. as the minutes tick by, the signal begins to wane, even as the party tracks their foe through the sewers. hidden and unseen, the party nearly fail at capturing othera, wounded. at the last moment, mithrellis and sorin are able to conjure bolts of magical force that, with kazimir's aide, find their target in another realm, and blast her back to their dimension. captive and unconscious, boyd removes her head for surety, and proof of the threat.

AFTERMATH

at this point, the parties exploits have remained secret from the rest of the cities knowledge. silent heroes, little know of the plight they have faced, from either the strange dreams, or othera's vengeance. as the party returns to the city up top, they set about alerting the authorities of the extent of the damage, and help in uncovering the damage othera has done to the council. as a member, the reach of her influence is unknown. the party meet with the council: blanca quinteros, the garrison captain, emmanuel viernez, the trade minister, oliver chapa, the artisan guild master, and lucero magallanez, the vice regent. the party detail their exploits, and are met with skepticism and supervision by some. when the party accuse dilila of masterminding corruption within the city, the council question the timeframe, arguing that dilila has been a resident of the city for decades.

quelled, the party, bent on making sure that othera hasn't done any lasting damage, seek to gather evidence of her actions. they investigate her manor, where they discover a band of mercenaries hired as guards, rather an garrison recruits. with some stealth, they find arkoshian gold, evidence of a foreign agent, and signs of graft and abuse. more questions, but fewer answers. eventually, the party gather aides to investigate the sewers, the treatment plant, and the caves, demonstrating the extent of the work. slowly, but surely, the council begins to understand. nonetheless, the party is now left confused – what was the meaning of all of this? what are the vilnach? is the city still in danger?

ONWARD

eshrim seeks to aide the party in these questions, and more, but lacks the information at this time. he explains how the mind that speaks is only a portion of his own, the rest kept in safe keeping deep within an ancient forest. he asks that the party, if willing, can take him to this place, that he can answer their questions, and find out more about the influence of the vilnach.

the party agree, though debate the means to do so. they realize that without the support of the town, they lack the resources to make a journey, nor can they hope to deal with any new complications. they decide to delay, and seek a practical means to increase their resources. as such, they decide to hire themselves out as bounty hunters and bandit hunters. inquiring with enrique as well as local merchants, the party collect assurances of payment and assistance in trade for dealing with bandit threats to the south.